Naomie Harris dazzles in tulle cocktail dress at Long Walk To Freedom premiere... as Idris Elba is his dapper best in sharp suit

By Jason Chester

PUBLISHED: 20:08 EST, 7 September 2013 | UPDATED: 02:42 EST, 9 September 2013

Idris Elba and Naomie Harris stole the show on Saturday when they attended the premiere of much vaunted biopic Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom at the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival.

The pair were on hand to support a film that sees both tipped for Oscar glory at next year’s Academy Awards for the respective portrayals of Nelson and Winnie Mandela in director Justin Chadwick’s adaptation of the iconic South African talisman’s 751 page autobiography.

Wearing a black gown from Marchesa, British actress Naomie looked stunning as she posed for photos on the red carpet before making her way into Toronto’s Roy Thompson Hall for the film’s first official screening.

Prom princess: Naomie Harris dazzled in a tulle cocktail dress as she attended the premiere of much vaunted biopic Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom at the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival on Saturday evening

The 36-year-old’s corseted tulle overlay cocktail dress with wide skirt and crinoline petticoat was matched with a pair of stiletto heels, while her centre-parted hair was pulled back from her face.

While Naomie looked elegant, a relaxed Idris, 41, opted to team his smart two-piece suit with a pair of trainers.

The two actors were joined at the Toronto screening by co-star Terry Pheto and director Chadwick, who arrived with a female companion.

Dapper dude: Despite wearing trainers, Idris Elba looked every inch the perfect gentleman in his sharp suit as he hit the red carpet

Idris found fame playing notorious drug lord Russell ‘Stringer’ Bell in HBO series The Wire.

His easy transition from small screen to silver screen, from Baltimore street dealer to South African leader, is all the more impressive given the short space of time in which it happened.

Other films have been made about Mandela, who is currently battling a lung infection, but Elba recently insisted that his version is by far the best - but was quick to add that he doesn’t look like the man he portrays.

Dressed to impress: Terry Pheto looked utterly showstopping in a dramatic backless floral detail gown as she posed at Roy Thompson Hall

Red carpet moment: The actress certainly commanded attention as she showcased her incredible gown for the photographers

He said: ‘If I get judged, which I will, about my performance or how I sound or how I look, I think people miss the point.

‘The point is that this is called Long Walk to Freedom, this is the book about his life and it’s his own words.’

Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom is scheduled for release on November 29.

Lady in red: Director Justin Chadwick enjoyed his moment as he posed with a female companion in a stunning scarlet gown